"We are excited to be working with the G&H team and look forward to collectively growing our company while continuing to deliver outstanding service to the MedTech (medical technology) industry.”

Alex Warnock, chief operating officer of G&H, is pictured with Tom Cole, MD of the ITL Group

In 2014, ITL became the first double winner of the Kent Excellence in Business Awards (KEiBA).

It was named best manufacturer and science and technology business of the year at the awards, which are run by Kent County Council and the KM Media Group.

It has won several KEiBAs since.

Mr Smith said: "I am pleased that ITL Group is becoming part of Gooch and Housego as the strategic fit works for both companies.

Work inside Integrated Technologies

"ITL will benefit from the critical mass that G&H has and G&H will benefit from ITL’s systems approach, which will enable it to move further up the “value chain” by developing larger modules and systems for its customers.

"In addition to looking after our growing number of current customers, I foresee a lot of new opportunities being generated by this synergy and I look forward to working and growing with the G&H team.”